CHAPTER 5 – SATELLITE EARTH STATION

5.1 Introduction

Satellite communication plays a huge role in SLT international transmission section. When

Common-Wealth Summit was held in Sri Lanka, there was no a reliable mechanism to do

the international broadcast. Padukka satellite Earth station was started at this period. Dr.

Arthur C. Clarke reveals a lot of important facts regarding satellite communication. He

discovered that a satellite orbited at a distance of 36,000 km (i.e. from the Earth surface)

would be geostationary. Further more he explains that it rotates in the same direction as the

Earth and the Earth’s orbital velocity is equal to the angular orbital velocity of the satellite.

Thus if it is placed in an equatorial orbit; the satellite will place stationary relative to the

Earth.

The period of rotation T of a satellite around the Earth was given by:

2 x π x r3/2
T =
2 1/2
(gs x R )

Let T is the period of rotation of the satellite.(i.e. around the Earth)

Where ,

T = Period of rotation

R = Radius of Earth

r = Radius of orbit

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 -2 )
gs = Gravitational acceleration on Earth surface( 9.81ms

Dr. Arthur C. Clarke reveals that three satellites can illuminate the whole globe. According

to that concept; three regions were identified.

(i) IOR - Indian Ocean Region

(ii) POR - Pacific Ocean Region

(iii) AOR - Atlantic Ocean Region

IOR

EARTH

POR

AOR

Figure 5.1: Three satellites illuminate the whole globe

The satellites are placed in geostationary orbits by balancing the centrifugal force and the

gravitational force. For more explanation;

mxv GxmxM
=

R R2
Where,

m = Mass of the satellite

M = Mass of the Earth

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R = Total radius

G is a Constant

Since,

Linear velocity = Radius x Angular Velocity

By solving the above equations,

R = 42,000 km

Since the radius of Earth is 6378 km,

The distance from the Earth surface = 35,622 km (Approximately 36,000km)

5.2 Satellite Architecture

Communication data passes through a satellite using a signal path known as a transponder.

Typically satellites have between 2 and 72 transponders. A single transponder is capable of

handling up to 155 million bits of information per second. Its capability varies from simple

voice or data to the most complex and bandwidth intensive video, and audio and Internet

content.

5.3 Orbit location

The location of a geostationary satellite is referred to as its orbital location. International

0
satellites, are normally measured in terms of longitudinal degrees East( E )from the Prime

Meridian.

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5.4 Foot Print

The geographic area of the Earth’s surface over which a satellite can transmit to, or receive

from, is called the satellite’s “footprint”. The footprint can be tailored to include beams

with different frequencies and power levels.

5.5 Earth Station Equipments

Transmission Receive

Modulator Demodulator

IF combiner IF Divider

Up converter Down converter

RF combiner RF Divider

High Power Amplifiers Low Noise Amplifier

Antenna Antenna

Antenna

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 Satellite dish
Earth Station
Block Diagram

Feeder

HPA LNA
HPA LNA

RF RF RF RF
Combiner Combiner Divider Divider

UP UP Down Down
Converter Converter Conveter Conveter

IF
IF IF IF
Divider
Combiner Combiner Divider

Modulator Modulator Demodulator Demodulator

Multiplexer , Demultiplexer , Terrestrial Radio Link

International Switching Center (ISC)

Figure 5.2: Earth Station Equipments

5.6 Radio Frequency Bands

Several frequency bands are used in satellite communication. However C band and Ku

band are used immensely for the satellite communications

Table 5.6.1: Radio Frequency Bands

Band Frequency/ (GHz)

UHF 0.3 – 1.0
L 1.0 – 1.5
S 1.5 – 3.9
C 3.9 – 8.0
X 8.0 – 12.5
Ku 12.5 – 18.0
K 18.0 – 26.5
Ka 26.5 – 0.0
5.7 Orbits

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A satellite is placed in orbit, when it is launched. Several types of orbits exists. Those are

(i) Geostationary Earth orbit (GEO)

(ii) Medium Earth orbit (MEO)

(ii) Low earth orbit (LEO)

Figure 5.3: Different Orbits

5.7.1 Geostationary Earth orbit [GEO]

Geostationary Earth orbit is at height of 22,282 miles above the equator (35, 786 Km) , the

satellite travels in the same direction and at the same speed as the Earth’s rotation on its

axis, taking 24 hours to complete a full trip around the globe. Thus, as long as satellite is

positioned over the equator in an assigned orbital location, it will appear to be “stationary”

with respect to a specific location on the Earth.

5.7.2 Medium Earth orbits [MEO]

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Medium Earth orbits are primarily reserved for communication satellites that cover the

North pole and the South pole. Unlike the circular orbit of the geostationary satellites,

Medium Earth orbits are placed in an elliptical (Oval- shaped) orbit.

5.7.3 Low Earth orbits [LEO]

Low Earth orbits are much closer to the earth, requiring satellites to travel at a very high

speed in order to avoid being pulled out of orbit b Earth’s gravity. At Low Earth orbits, a

satellite can circle the Earth in approximately one and a half hours.

5.8 Satellite Earth Station – Padukka

Padukka Satellite Earth Station is the only one satellite earth station in our country. It plays

a big role in international transmission. It facilitates for voice, data, internet etc via

satellites.

Earth station antennas are directed to INTELSAT satellites which are placed over the

Indian Oceanic Region (IOR).Padukka Earth station has several antennas and they C- band

for their operations. The uplink frequency is 6 GHz and the downlink frequency is 4 GHz.

Antennas can adjust their Azimuth and vertical angles automatically to have a direct line of

sight with the satellite by using beacon signals.

After receiving the uplink carriers, the transponders amplify them. Then it is converted in

to the correct downlink frequency band. After that it is used to transmit to the high

powered amplifiers which are stated on earth.

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 ITMC

SIC NSC

OTS CTO SDH

PDK_2A
Optical PDK_1A PDK_4B

Figure 5.4: Padukka Satellite Earth Station

5.8.1 Padukka – 1A Earth Station

This is the country’s first satellite Earth station established in 1976. At that

time this was an analogue, but now it has been fully converted into a digital earth station.

PDK –1A Earth station has the standard A and is equipped with 30 m in diameter dish

antenna and communicates with INTELSAT 60 degrees E Geo – stationary satellite. This

has IDR carriers. Services are voice, data, TV. This is monitored remotely.

Year of Commission : 1976

Antenna Diameter : 30 m

INTELSAT Standard : Standard – A E/S

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Working Satellite : INTELSAT IOR 60 East

Frequency of Operation : C- Band

Feeder : 4 – Port

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 Polarization used : Circular (A – Pole and B – Pole)

Feeder Type : Cassegrain (Beam Waveguide Feed)

Tracking System : Automatic (Step, Programmed, Auto)

Services available : Digital TV, Voice, Internet, DAMA, Data

5.8.2 Padukka – 4B Earth Station

This antenna previously located adjacent the SLT’s OTS building and now it is being re-

installed in the Padukka E/S. This is the second earth station established in Colombo in

April 1993 to meet the increasing demand of overseas telecom traffic. The standard of this

earth station is standard B and is equipped with 11 m in diameter dish antenna.

Communicate with NSS 57 degrees satellite.

Year of Commission : 1993

Antenna Diameter : 11 m

INTELSAT Standard : Standard – B E/S

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Working Satellite : INTELSAT NSS 57

Frequency of Operation : C- Band

Feeder : 4 – Port

Polarization used : Circular

Feeder Type : Cassegrain (Beam Waveguide Feed)

Tracking System : Manual

Services available : Internet

5.8.3 Padukka – 2A Earth Station

This is installed in 1995. This earth station is INTELSAT standard A and

has an 18 m diameter antenna, 3 kW HPA and 100 W solid state power amplifier. This is a

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digital earth station. This has IDR carriers. Services are voice, data, TV. Communicate

with INTELSAT 64 degrees E satellite.

Year of Commission : 1995

Antenna Diameter : 18 m

INTELSAT Standard : Standard – A E/S

0
Working Satellite : INTELSAT IOR 64 East

Frequency of Operation : C- Band

Feeder : 4 – Port

Polarization used : Circular (A – Pole and B – Pole)

Feeder Type : Cassegrain (Beam Waveguide Feed)

Tracking System : Automatic (Step)

Services available : Digital TV, Voice, Internet, Data

5.8.4 AVN Antenna

This is used for digital TV transmission. Diameter is 4.6 m.

5.8.5 SLT FLY (Mobile Earth Station)

Diameter is 2.4 m. This is used for live telecast cricket matches, SNG to overseas

countries. This is good for digital transmission. This is a mobile earth station. In this

system the Up link frequency is always greater than the down downlink frequency. This is

because the attenuation is high in higher frequencies and it requires more power to transmit

the signal. If the high frequency is used to transmit the signal, satellite will require more

power and hence greater in size. So high frequency signal will generate from the satellite

base station and low frequency signal will generate from the satellite.

Year of Commission : 1999

Antenna Diameter : 2.4 m

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 INTELSAT Standard : Standard – H3 E/S

Working Satellite : Any

Frequency of Operation : C- Band

Feeder : 2 – Port

Polarization used : Liner or Circular

Feeder Type : Offset

Tracking System : Manual

Services available : Digital TV

5.9 Earth Station Block Diagram

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 Local End Main Link International Link

2M Link

DSU DATA Node TX TX DATA Node Cable

Room Room

SLT SLT SEA-ME-WE

Router Remote Site Head Office

Local End

LAN
Customer A Satellite Link
DSU
DATA Node
ITMC

Router
SLT
Head Office

LAN
Customer B

Feeder

HPA HPA LPA LPA

RF RF RF Divider RF Divider
Combiner Combiner

UP UP DOWN DOWN
Converter Converter Converter Converter

IF Combiner IF Combiner IF Divider IF Divider

Modulator Modulator Demodulator Demodulator

Multiplexer, Demultiplexer, Terrestrial Radio Link

International Switching Centre (ISC)

Figure 5.5: Earth station block diagram

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5.9 International Telephone Call Connection

6 GHz Transmit Path 6 GHz Transmit Path

4 GHz Receive Path

Sri Lanka Japan

ITMC 81-839291414 ITMC

ISC 81-839291414 ISC

NSC 0-81-839291414 NSC

SC 00-81-839291414 SC

839291414

Figure 5.6: How an International Call Is Initiated

When a person is trying to get a call to another country two portions of the number should

be directed to the telephone exchange. Initially international entrance number (i.e.

00).Then the country code and the telephone number should be entered. For an example let

the call was taken to 00-91-123456789.Since it consists a zero at the beginning the

telephone exchange directs the call to the National Exchange at Colombo. Then the

National Exchange directs the call to the International Exchange since the second number

also zero. Next the International Exchange classifies the international calls according to the

country code (Here the country is 91 and it’s the country code of India).Then it is directed

to the International Transmission and Maintenance Center (ITMC). Then it is directed to

the cable centers or to the satellite Earth Station.

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5.9 Features of the communication via satellite

5.9.1 Advantages

 Wide-area broadcasting

 Multi-destination delivery

 Distance-independent cost

 Robustness against natural disaster

 Easy setup at any point on the ground

 Small fluctuation of delay-time.

5.1.2 Disadvantages

 Physically significant delay-time

 Effects due to rainfall and airplanes

5.10 Training Experience

Padukka Satellite Earth Station is a place which I learned lot of important things. During

the training period I was able to get the maximum from it. I got an overall knowledge

about how to do a satellite communication.

In the very first day we were participated for few lectures. From that we identified the

importance of satellite communication; and how it contributes to enhance the demand of

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SLT. Then we went to see the different antennas mounted on the land. We observed PDK

1A and PDK 2A antennas. And with the help of the technical staff we got the theoretical

background for that. And also we went to the equipment room and observe the modems, IF

& RF combiners, up/down converters and power amplifiers. When we find the newest

versions of converters power amplifiers; we studied the additional features of them with

compare to the older ones.

We analyze the frequency spectrum and study the behavior of the signal. Study the reasons

for selecting c band for the transmission. And also we got to know how to direct an

antenna to a proper direction.

We got the opportunity to go to the top of the antenna. We observe the structure of the

antenna. And also we study about the automatic cracking system of that. The other

important thing is that we got to know about the South Asian news sharing system. Sri

Lanka also provides local news for that. We study about that process and practically

involved in uploading our carrier signal at the proper time. And also we discussed about

the legal background of this process.

Considering all aspects; I can say that the training period at Satellite Earth Station give me

a huge knowledge in satellite communication.

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